The Indian Weekender, Friday 12 February 2021

12 FEBRUARY2021 • VOL 12 ISSUE 46 

www.iwk.co.nz /indianweekender /indianweekender 

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The Indian Weekender Friday, February 12, 2021 

NEW ZEALAND 3 

Latest changes in residential tenancy act can 

shift 'renting' and 'investment property buying' in NZ 

SANDEEP SINGH 

The latest changes in Residential 

Tenancy Act 1986 which come into 

force from Thursday, February 11 has 

the potential to shift the landscape of “renting,” 

and “investment property buying,” in this 

country. 

Right now, the unfettered rights enjoyed by 

the landlords, vis a vis tenants in residential 

property, has been one of the biggest motivators 

for new investors to take a plunge in investment 

property buying, and contributing in heating up 

of the housing market. 

The ability of the landlord to evict tenants 

almost at will and impose an increase in 

rents, again without much regulation has kept 

the experience of renting at best “interim,” 

while enhancing the experience of property 

investment as exhilarating and luxurious. 

Investment property buying and renting are 

indeed two separate set of human activities 

which fulfil distinct needs and requirements 

of specific customers – both important for the 

effective functioning of a competitive housing 

market. 

However, in recent years the New Zealand’s 

overheated housing market has distorted the 

fine balance between the two – to an extent 

making it almost unsustainable. 

Right now, “renting” is largely perceived as 

an act of need and necessity driven by a number 

of factors in one’s life, whereas “investment 

property buying” is understood as an act of 

“luxury” that enhances one’s total net worth – 

which is not completely wrong altogether. 

Getting into the property ladder and 

" 

A growing number of highly indebted borrowers, especially 

investors, are now financially vulnerable to house price 

corrections and disruptions to their ability to service the debt. 

Highly leveraged property owners, in particular investors, are 

more prone to rapid ‘fire sales’ that potentially amplify any 

downturn 

expanding investment property portfolio is 

a time-tested pathway to increasing one’s 

net worth. 

However, it is the combination of factors 

such as overheated housing market, low interest 

regime, and ever-increasing renting market 

that has been fuelling a mad rush towards 

investment property buying. 

Ankur & Geetima (name changed) who just 

recently bought their first home two years ago 

in the suburb of Takanini in South Auckland for 

around high $ 700K have made a splash in the 

overheated housing market and upgraded to a 

$ 1.5 million-plus (home & income) property 

in Flat Bush, hoping to reap the benefit of high 

rent market and payout mortgage for their new 

plush property. 

Although a source of envy for many 

struggling families around, the young couple 

has not done anything wrong or unethical, 

and in fact played with the rulebook of 

current realities of the housing market and 

investment environment and taken some bold, 

calculated risks. 

It’s another matter that by taking this 

bold risk, they have simultaneously exposed 

themselves to the vagaries of financial market 

or downturn in the housing market that Reserve 

Bank Deputy Governor has talked about 

this week while announcing new Loan to 

Value ratio. 

“A growing number of highly indebted 

borrowers, especially investors, are now 

financially vulnerable to house price 

corrections and disruptions to their ability to 

service the debt. 

"Highly leveraged property owners, in 

particular investors, are more prone to rapid 

‘fire sales’ that potentially amplify any 

downturn,” Mr Bascond said. 

The risk can be further amplified with the 

incoming changes in renting laws that is 

expected to increase the general rental-tenure 

as renters will have the ability to live as much 

longer as they wish as long as they continue 

to behave well and not make any significant 

damage to the property. 

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 

2020 has already enunciated some changes 

which were to be fully implemented in three 

stages (August 12, 2020, February 11, 2021, 

& August 11, 2021), with most significant 

changes coming into force from today. 

• Continued on Page 4

4 NEW ZEALAND 

Latest changes in residential 

tenancy act can shift 'renting' and 

'investment property buying' in NZ 

• Continued from Page 3 

These changes, along with a couple of other 

announcements made this week, such as reintroducing 

LVR rates, could potentially shift the 

way New Zealanders look into renting and investment 

property buying. 

What are the changes in tenancy law? 

Security of rental tenure: Landlords will not be able 

to end a periodic tenancy without cause by providing 90 

days’ notice. New termination grounds will be available to 

landlords under a periodic tenancy and the required notice 

periods have changed. 

Changes for fixed-term tenancies: All fixed-term 

tenancy agreements will convert to periodic tenancies 

at the end of the fixed-term unless the parties agree 

otherwise, the tenant gives a 28-day notice, or the landlord 

gives notice in accordance with the termination grounds 

for periodic tenancies. 

Making minor changes: Tenants can ask to make 

changes to the property and landlords must not decline if 

the change is minor. Landlords must respond to a tenant’s 

request to make a change within 21 days. 

Prohibitions on rental bidding: Rental properties cannot 

be advertised without a rental price listed, and landlords 

cannot invite or encourage tenants to bid on the rental 

(pay more than the advertised rent amount). 

Fibre broadband: Tenants can request to install fibre 

broadband, and landlords must agree if it can be installed 

at no cost to them, unless specific exemptions apply. 

Privacy and access to justice: A suppression order 

can remove names and identifying details from published 

Tenancy Tribunal decisions if a party who has applied for 

a suppression order is wholly or substantially successful, 

or if this is in the interests of the parties and the public 

interest. 

Assignment of tenancies: All requests to assign a 

tenancy must be considered. Landlords cannot decline 

unreasonably. If a residential tenancy agreement prohibits 

assignment, it is of no effect. 

Landlord records: Not providing a tenancy agreement 

in writing will be an unlawful act and landlords will need 

to retain and provide new types of information. 

Enforcement measures being strengthened: The 

Regulator (the Ministry of Business, Innovation and 

Employment) will have new measures to take action 

against parties who are not meeting their obligations. 

Changes to Tenancy Tribunal jurisdiction: The 

Tenancy Tribunal can hear cases and make awards up to 

$100,000. This is a change from $50,000. 

NAME CHANGE 

I , Gurdeep Singh residing at 36 Seventeenth 

Avenue, Tauranga South changed my minor 

son's name Gurfateh Singh to Gavin Singh 

for all future purposes 

Friday, February 12, 2021 

The Indian Weekender 

New Hamilton to Auckland 

train service to start April 2021 

RADIO NEW ZEALAND 

A 

new Hamilton to Auckland 

passenger train service 

called Te Huia will start in 

early April. 

Commuter trains last ran between 

the two cities in 2001 after an 

unsuccessful 16-month trial. Central 

government funding for the new 

service was approved in December 

2018. 

Total funding of $78m was 

allocated for the project over the first 

six years from 2019 to 2024, with 

$68.4m coming from the government 

and the remaining $9.8m from local 

government in the Waikato region. 

Another $49m was used to 

purchase and modify rolling stock, 

reinstate a maintenance facility at Te 

Rapa and to construct a new station 

at The Base at Rotokauri and upgrade 

the Huntly station. 

In 2018 running costs were 

estimated at $5.82m per year with 

75 percent coming from a Transport 

Agency subsidy and the remainder 

split between passenger fares and 

Waikato Regional Council rates on 

Hamilton ratepayers. 

The service was expected to start 

last year but was delayed by the 

Covid-19 pandemic and then track 

maintenance in Auckland. 

Two return services will run 

each work day to Papakura, where 

commuters will transfer to local 

trains. Trains will leave Hamilton at 

5.46am and just before 6.30am, and 

return in the evening just before 5pm 

and again just before 6.30pm. The 

trains, each with four carriages, will 

stop at Rotokauri and Huntly. 

Regional Transport Committee 

and Rail Governance Group chair 

Hugh Vercoe said the service would 

transform public transport and the 

way people in Waikato travelled to 

Auckland. 

"We are excited as our communities 

to be able to confirm a start date, 

giving people the certainty they need 

to start planning their travel from 

April.” 

“There’s real opportunity for us 

to expand the service into the future, 

opening it up to even more Waikato 

communities.” 

The cost of a trip using a 

concession card will be $12.20 

from Hamilton and $7.80 

from Huntly.


NEW ZEALAND 5 

COVID-19 RELATED 

DISRUPTION 

ON 'WORK TO 

RESIDENCE' VISAS: 

How will Immigration 

NZ assess future 

applications for the 

resident visa? 

SANDEEP SINGH 

Assuaging some 

concerns amongst 

temporary visa 

holders, Immigration New 

Zealand has assured that 

it will take a sympathetic 

view while assessing any 

Covid-impacted disruption 

on any future resident visa 

applications. 

There has been a brewing 

concern within some 

section of temporary work visa holders who have experienced significant work-related disruptions 

that can potentially jeopardise their future applications for the resident visa as they might fail to meet 

definite visa conditions. 

In the front of the queue are those on Work to Residence visas, which have a clear visa condition 

for remaining and working in the same job for at least 24 

months before they become eligible for applying for resident 

visas. 

Many Work to residence visa holders were caught 

overseas when NZ borders were closed behind them on 

March 19, before being allowed back in a staged manner 

in an announcement by Immigration Minister in September 

2020. 

Given that such visa holders were often working on 

critical shortage skills that were not easily replaceable in 

New Zealand, their employers have kept their employment 

not only open but also patiently waited for them to come 

back and restart the work. 

Recently many such temporary work visa holders - who 

undoubtedly have been extremely fortunate in comparison 

to tens of thousands who still remain locked out of borders 

– have been worried about their visa conditions given the 

current uncertain immigration environment. 

Responding to a query by the Indian Weekender in this 

regard, an INZ spokesperson said, “Immigration New 

Zealand is aware that some Work to Residence visa holders 

may have had their timeframes in their jobs affected by 

COVID-19, due to circumstances beyond their control. 

“This will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case 

basis when their Residence from Work visas are processed 

in future, provided that this is noted and an explanation 

provided on the application,” the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson also reassuringly pointed towards 

the fact how INZ had earlier taken into consideration for 

some resident visa holders who were outside New Zealand 

and were recently granted a 12-month extension using the 

special powers granted to the Minister for Immigration in 

response to Covid-19. 

What it means for future applicants of 

Resident Visas 

The temporary work visa holders who have faced some 

significant disruptions because of Covid-19 related border 

"This 

will be taken 

into consideration on 

a case-by-case basis when 

their Residence from Work 

visas are processed in future, 

provided that this is noted and 

an explanation provided on the 

application" 

lockdown are encouraged 

to provide a detailed 

explanation along with 

their applications for 

visa explaining how 

things beyond their 

control had prevented 

them from meeting 

visa-guidelines. 

1 

Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board 

Vote Papaliitele Lafulafu Peo 

for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board 

Talofa and Kia Ora, Happy New 

Year 2021. I am pleased to introduce 

myself as the Labour candidate in the 

Māngere–Ōtāhuhu Local Board byelection. 

I am married and have four beautiful children. I 

have lived in Māngere for over 20 years and it 

is also my place of work. I am a Health Sector 

professional, having graduated from Te Wānanga 

o Aotearoa with a Bachelor’s Degree and a 

Diploma in Social Work. I am committed to 

Contact me anytime at: lafupeo@gmail.com 

Your Trusted Financial Advisers 

Expert Advice for 

First Home Buyers 

Right advice and economical 

quote for all your insurance needs 

PEO 

Papaliitele 

Lafulafu 

using my qualifications to support the wellbeing 

of our diverse communities through roles in, 

for example, health promotion, awareness and 

programme facilitation. I also contribute as a 

member of the Board of Trustees of Māngere 

College and as a Justice of the Peace. 

If I am elected to the Local Board, I pledge to be 

a strong voice advocating for the communities 

of Māngere–Ōtāhuhu. The current Local Board 

has carried out an enormous amount of work 

and, if I am given the opportunity, I would also 

add value by helping progress its projects such 

as improving and protecting the environment, 

CELEBRATING 

YEARS 

In Business 

Better rates and stress free loans 

Advice on best loan structures 

upgrading the Ōtāhuhu Town Centre, keeping 

free access to swimming pools, continuing the 

next phase of the Norana Walkway and investing 

in our local sports facilities. 

Voting in this by-election is by postal ballot. You 

will receive your voting paper in the mail from 

Tuesday 26 January 2021 and would need to 

post back your completed vote in your prepaid 

envelope no later than Friday 12 February. 

Alternatively, voting papers can be handdelivered 

to the Māngere Town Centre Library 

or Ōtāhuhu Library by noon on Wednesday 17 

February 2021. 

Authorised by Alf Filipaina, 153 Tennessee Avenue, Mangere 

Let’s 

movi

6 NEW ZEALAND 



RMA to be repealed and replaced by 

Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) 

IWK BUREAU 

The Government is delivering on 

its promise to reform the Resource 

Management system based on the 

comprehensive review carried out last year. 

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) 

will be repealed and replaced with new laws 

this parliamentary term, Environment Minister 

David Parker confirmed today. 

The three new Acts will be the: 

Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) 

to provide for land use and environmental 

regulation (this would be the primary 

replacement for the RMA) 

Strategic Planning Act (SPA) to integrate 

with other legislation relevant to development, 

and require long-term regional spatial strategies 

Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) 

to address complex issues associated 

with managed retreat and funding and 

financing adaptation. 

“Urban areas are struggling to keep pace with 

population growth and the need for affordable 

housing. Water quality is deteriorating, 

biodiversity is diminishing and there is an 

urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and 

adapt to climate change,” David Parker said. 

“The new laws will improve the natural 

environment, enable more development within 

environmental limits, provide an effective 

role for Maori, and improve housing supply 

and affordability. 

“Planning processes will be simplified and 

costs and times reduced,” he said. 

Other key changes include stronger national 

direction and one single combined plan per 

region. And there will be more focus on natural 

environmental outcomes and less on subjective 

amenity matters that favour the status quo. 

Better urban design will be pursued. 

The reform follows the review of New 

Zealand’s resource management system led by 

former Appeal Court Judge Tony Randerson 

and published in July 2020. Reform has been 

called for over the last decade, including by 

the Productivity Commission, the Waitangi 

Tribunal, LGNZ, EDS, the Property Council, 

Infrastructure NZ and the Northern EMA. 

Under the NBA there will be a mandatory 

set of national policies and standards to support 

the natural environmental limits, outcomes and 

targets specified in the new law. These will 

be incorporated into combined regional plans 

prepared by local and central government and 

mana whenua. 

“The existing 100-plus RMA council 

planning documents will be reduced 

to about 14.” 

The Strategic Planning Act will integrate 

"Urban 

areas are 

struggling to keep pace 

with population growth 

and the need for affordable 

housing. Water quality is 

deteriorating, biodiversity is 

diminishing and there is an 

urgent need to reduce carbon 

emissions and adapt to 

climate change" 

functions under the 

RMA, Local Government 

Act 2002, Land Transport 

Management Act 2003 and the 

Climate Change Response Act 2002 to enable 

clearer and more efficient decision-making and 

investment. 

“New spatial strategies will enable regions 

to plan for the wellbeing of future generations, 

ensuring development and infrastructure occurs 

in the right places at the right times.” 

The CAA responding to the effects of climate 

change will be progressed by Climate Change 

Minister James Shaw. 

David Parker said secure, healthy and 

affordable housing is at the heart of the 

wellbeing of New Zealand families but that it 

is no longer a reality for many New Zealanders. 

“Urban areas hold 86 per cent of our 

population and experience 99 per cent of our 

population growth. 

"Instead of allowing cities to respond to 

population growth sustainably, poor quality 

and restrictive planning has contributed to a 

lack of certainty and unaffordable housing. 

“Housing problems are a complex mix 

of demand, costs, financing, capacity and 

supply and there is no silver bullet. This 

reform will help by improving how central 

and local government plan for housing and 

urban development. This includes better 

coordination of future infrastructure with land 

use, development and urban growth.” 

These changes will build on the 

National Policy Statement for Urban 

Development released last year 

that directs councils to make 

room for growth both ‘up’ 

and ‘out’. 

David Parker said the National 

and Built Environments Act, as the 

core piece of legislation replacing the 

RMA, will be progressed first. 

“Given its significance and complexity, 

a special select committee inquiry will 

consider an exposure draft of the NBA Bill 

from mid-year. This will include the most 

important elements of the legislation, including 

the replacement of Part 2 of the RMA. 

“I expect that the complete NBA and the SPA 

will be formally introduced into Parliament by 

the end of 2021, with the NBA passed by the 

end of 2022,” he said. 

The Government is working with a collective 

of pan Maori entities on key elements of the 

NBA including the strengthened recognition 

of tikanga Maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Continued engagement with local government 

will also be crucial. 

Tamil Society Waikato prepare 20 dishes 

for community on Pongal celebration event 

RIZWAN MOHAMMAD 

Last weekend, the Tamil Society 

Waikato hosted its Pongal celebrations 

with approximately 500 attendees 

and prepared a whopping 20 dishes for the 

community members on the festive occasion. 

Pongal is one of the most important festivals 

for the Tamil community and in New Zealand is 

celebrated by several community organisations 

on different weekends of the first quarter of 

the year. 

What made the celebrations memorable for 

the Tamil Society in Waikato is the number of 

people who travelled from different corners 

of north and south island to observe the 

community event. 

And the hosts prepared 20 traditional dishes 

for over 500 crowds and simultaneously 

presented an array of cultural programs, games 

and activities for the visitors. 

Held at Waikato Indian Association Hall 

in Frankton, Hamilton, the event started at 

11 a.m. where visiting community members 

engaged in preparing traditional Pongal dishes 

serving amongst themselves. 

“The official part of the event started at 11 

with the attendees making special sweet rice, 

but the highlight of the event- 20 vegetarian 

and non-vegetarian dishes were made by three 

chefs and a dedicated team of volunteers in the 

day preceding and early hours of Saturday,” 

Kamala Devi, secretary of Tamil Society 

Waikato told the Indian Weekender. 

“Our three chefs, namely Khan, Bala and 

Prakash, worked till late night on Friday and 

started around 4 a.m. on Saturday, the day of 

the event to prepare the dishes for the visitors.” 

The idea for ‘Pongal Kari Virunthu’, to make 

a score of different dishes was to bring some 

real essence of community cooking, especially 

during festivals like Pongal. 

“It was like we were preparing for a wedding 

back at our home in Chennai, all volunteers got 

together arranging food items, washing dishes, 

cleaning the kitchen area, cutting vegetables, 

helping the chefs and making sure everything 

was in place as per chefs’ requirement. 

“The volunteers were from our association 

as well as from the wider community who 

offered their hands for the annual mega event. 

The food was ready by 9:30 in the morning, at 

least an hour half before we commenced the 

event,” Kamala said. 

Dressed in traditional Tamil festive wears, 

the attendees participated in games, folk dance 

performances, and traditional Pongal activities 

celebrating the joyous occasion. 

" 

It was like we were 

preparing for a wedding 

back at our home in Chennai, 

all volunteers got together 

arranging food items, 

washing dishes, cleaning 

the kitchen area, cutting 

vegetables, helping the chefs 

and making sure everything 

was in place as per chefs’ 

requirement. 

Tamil Society Waikato was founded in 

1989 to promote Tamil language, culture 

and literature. 

The organisations’ other objectives are to 

provide a forum for the younger generation 

of Tamil community to participate in literacy 

and cultural programs, organise social and 

entertainment events for the diaspora living 

in the region and provide a support base 

for newly arrived Tamil immigrants in the 

Waikato region.


NEW ZEALAND 7 

India Day event to 

launch centenary 

celebrations of Auckland 

Indian Association Inc 


The India Day event by Auckland Indian Association Inc. 

on Saturday, February 13 at Mahatma Gandhi Centre 

will launch the centenary celebrations of the Association 

which was already delayed by a few months due to Covid-19. 

AIA has organised India Day event in partnership with the 

High Commission of India in Wellington and Auckland Indian 

Diaspora organisations. 

Auckland Indian Association Inc. completed its 100 

years of establishment in 2020 and had a number of events 

lined up last year to commemorate its feat of completing a 

century of existence. 

The India Day event on Saturday will be attended by the High 

Commissioner of India, Muktesh Pardeshi, former Governor- 

General Sir Anand Satyanand, Hon Consul of India in Auckland 

Bhav Dhillon, Minister of Transport Michael Wood, president of 

NZICA Paul Patel and representatives and leaders of different 

Indian community organisations. 

Speaking with the Indian Weekender, High Commissioner of 

India Muktesh Pardeshi said, “This India Day is in celebration of 

the 100 years of Auckland Indian Association. It is a landmark 

development in the history of the migration of Indians to NZ. 

The High Commission and several community associations have 

joined hands to present a befitting cultural show as a tribute to 

our ancestors who sailed to Aotearoa more than a century ago in 

search of better lives.” 

Entrepreneur Mussie Sheikh’s new project aims 

improving mental health of 200,000+ children 


Woken by the loss of close ones to selfharm, 

Kiwi entrepreneur Mustafa 

(Mussie) Sheikh has started a new 

project that aims to boost the mental health of 

children. 

Founder of the Bread Charity Foundation 

and an honours in chemistry graduate from 

Auckland University, Mussie says this new 

project deals with checking mental health 

issues amongst school-going children. Mussie 

has experience in research and was awarded a 

research scholarship, which was pertinent to the 

project. He took input from medical specialists 

from AUT and developed a solution to identify 

and have an early intervention. 

The result, ClickCheck for Children, an 

email function was launched earlier this week 

designed to identify and support children’s 

mental health issues and their wellbeing. 

“Our research and developments on 

neurotransmitters will redefine the wellbeing 

space,” Mussie told The Indian Weekender. 

The outcome of the research focuses on 

giving children proactive support which is key 

to the prevention of bullying and promotion of 

mental wellbeing. 

“Youth suicide is a growing concern. 

“We want to help kids in New Zealand 

become more comfortable with speaking up and 

seeking support. We’ve developed something 

amazing that works so want to share it with 

those who need it most. 

“Previous support systems have been too 

passive, we’ve flipped the script and created a 

pro-active approach which regularly checks up 

on your children. It shows them someone cares 

and it’s ok to speak up, we’re here to help,” 

Mussie said. 

“I look forward to participating in the event and 

interacting with the representatives of our vibrant diaspora,” 

Mr Pardeshi said. 

The event will start at 3 p.m. with the traditional lamp lighting 

followed by prayers, speeches, cultural performances and 

address by the guests on Auckland Indian Association’s 100 

years completion. President of Auckland Indian Association Inc 

told Indian Weekender that they have collaborated with several 

Auckland based Indian community organisations and talented 

independent artists from the community to present cultural 

performances at the event. 

As a part of the centenary celebrations, AIA plans 

to host a Bhagwat Geeta Katha event in the coming 

months inviting eight scholars from overseas to 

deliver the programme. 

“The special Katha event is in the pipeline, but 

it depends on if and when the border restrictions 

are relieved. If not, we will get our local priests to 

deliver the week-long programme,” Mr Bhana said. 

An exhibition on the legacy and works of 

Auckland Indian Association is also planned 

that will enlighten the community of its history, 

works, and important people who contributed towards 

the establishment and running of the 100-year-old 

community organisation. A centenary special publication or 

souvenir, musical programme, cultural day, women’s event and 

gala dinner is also in the pipeline as a part of the celebration. 

The trigger behind the project was Mussie’s 

personal experience losing family members 

and a friend to suicide. Asking himself what 

he could have done motivated him to work on 

the project to prevent self-harm incidents in 

the community. 

“We do this for the parents of New Zealand, 

to look after their kids and make sure they are 

doing well. I’ll never get to see them again. I’ll 

never get to tell them how much they mean to 

me. But we have done create a revolutionary 

tool to look after others,” Mussie added. 

Speaking on how does the tool work, the 

check-in system designed to assist children/ 

young adults, questions created in assistance 

from medical experts. 

The schools have to sign up with ClickCheck 

for students. They will send a survey or set of 

questions through ClickCheck to every student, 

at least once a fortnight. 

Based on the answers supplied, ClickCheck 

"Our 

goal 

through all these 

programmes, events, 

a souvenir is to highlight 

the works of Auckland 

Indian Association and set 

a precedent for the next 

several decades for 

our community 

organisation" 

will alert with the student’s teacher 

for assistance. 

Celebrities have come forward in support of 

this project, highlighting the stigma of mental 

“Our goal through all these programmes, 

events, a souvenir is to highlight the works of 

Auckland Indian Association and set a precedent for 

the next several decades for our community organisation,” Mr 

Bhana added. 

The India Day event since its announcement earlier last month 

has generated a good interest amongst the community members, 

and the event is said to be full with approximately 1000 attendees 

on Saturday. 

health issues, even amongst children and how 

can they access help. 

Amongst the supporters of this campaign are 

singer-actor and TV personality Stan Walker, 

professional boxer Joseph Parker, NBA Player 

for Miami Heat Kendrick Nunn, Olympic 

Sprinter Yohan Blake, and rugby legend 

Ma’a Nonu. 

“I showed them what we were doing, and 

they were more than happy to jump on board, 

and I am grateful to have their support,” 

Mussie said. 

The project will be rolled out to schools two 

weeks after the campaign ends and the goal is 

to work closely with schools and children to 

provide as much support as possible. 

Mussie also launched a fundraising drive 

via Pledge Me with the aim to collect at 

least $250,000 for the wellbeing system of 

200,000+ students. 

“I urge everyone to check what we’re doing, 

it’s really something special,” Mussie appealed.

8 NEW ZEALAND 

Friday, February 12, 2021 The Indian Weekender 

Wellingtonians to miss grand 

Holi celebrations event this year 


Wellingtonians will miss out on a 

grand celebration of the festival of 

colours this year due to delay in 

sourcing special colours to be used in the event. 

Nearly three-quarter of a ton of special 

colours are imported from the particular market 

in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in India every 

year for the Holi festival that is attended by 

thousands of Wellingtonians. 

The event earlier scheduled to be held on 

Saturday, February 13 at a Wellington City 

issued venue in the capital city was called off 

by the organisers citing delay in colour import 

as the primary issue, and scarcity of resources 

for the event. 

Speaking to the Indian Weekender organiser 

of the event Ashwyn Sathanantham said the 

event was not possible to be held as it takes 

at least six to eight weeks after purchasing the 

colours to reach its destination of order, but due 

to Covid restrictions and lesser flights between 

the countries, the shipping delay was even 

longer. 

“We get selected quality of colours, the best 

product from the wholesale markets in the two 

cities, but the delay is longer than anticipated. 

“Even if we reduce the quantity to half a ton, 

it was not possible to buy it at a retail price from 

somewhere else,” Ashwyn said. 

Ashwyn, a data special by profession and an 

event planner and DJ by as his personal interest 

added that besides arranging a massive stock of 

colours, a lot of work needs to be done behind 

the scenes that require months of preparation 

which was not possible this year due to several 

business closures last year and several hiccups 

due to Covid. 

“What people see on the stage is a 

culmination of months of work such as 

reserving a date, venue, arranging the fencing 

for the venue, booking the security, volunteers, 

stage assembly, promotions, food stalls, music 

and DJ and much more,” Ashwyn added. 

The event receives several thousand visitors 

on the event day, and it’s an excellent ambience 

for families, not just Indians, but wider 

communities come together and celebrate the 

festival. 

“Wellingtonians are sad that we could not go 

ahead with the festival- we get people from all 

over the city and far away suburbs at one venue, 

men, women and children playing colours, 

dancing to live DJ but it was just not feasible 

this year. 

“We also look for support from local 

businesses as sponsors, but due to losses and 

closures last year, they were not in the place 

to make a budget for sponsorships this year,” 

Ashwyn said. 

Wellington is also said to be the capital city 

of events and every weekend is booked with 

several events by different communities and at 

almost all major suburbs and events venues. 

“We received all the possible permissions 

from Wellington City Council, and other venue 

but due to several major and minor factors, we 

had to pull the plug on the event. 

“I informed the Council earlier last month 

that hosting the event this year was not 

possible,” Ashwyn added.


NEW ZEALAND 9 

Reserve Bank reimposes 

Loan to Value Ratio restrictions 

SANDEEP SINGH 

The Reserve Bank has reimposed tighter Loan to 

Value Ratio rules from next month at 20 per cent 

for owner-occupiers and 30 per cent for property 

investors. The limit for investors will rise to 40 per cent 

from May, and that required from owner-occupiers will 

remain at 20 per cent. 

This is in continuation of an earlier announcement by 

Reserve Bank in December last year that it was considering 

reinstating the LVR restrictions in March. 

Notably, LVR restrictions were removed in April 2020 to 

ensure they didn’t interfere with Covid-19 policy responses 

aimed at promoting cash flow and confidence. 

Since then, there has been a rapid rise in the housing 

market with an increased number of record sales, based on 

strong mortgage lending and raising some concerns about 

an increased vulnerability in the event of any correction in 

the housing market. 

Reserve Bank Deputy Governor and general manager 

of financial stability Geoff Bascand said, “A growing 

number of highly indebted borrowers, especially investors, 

are now financially vulnerable to house price corrections 

and disruptions to their ability to service the debt. Highly 

IWK BUREAU 

leveraged property owners, in particular investors, are 

more prone to rapid ‘fire sales’ that potentially amplify any 

downturn. 

From March 1, 2021: 

• LVR restrictions for owner-occupiers will be reinstated 

to a maximum of 20 per cent of new lending at LVRs 

above 80 per cent. 

• LVR restrictions for investors will be reinstated to a 

maximum of 5 per cent of new lending at LVRs above 

70 per cent. 

From May 1, 2021: 

• LVR restrictions for owner-occupiers will remain at a 


80 per cent. 

• LVR restrictions for investors will be further raised to a 


60 Per cent. 

The most visited Indian news 

website in New Zealand 

For online advertising options, email at 

sales@indianweekender.co.nz 

Two years on from ChCh mosque 

attacks: Unity the focus of National 

Remembrance Service 

March 15, 2021, will mark two years 

since the Christchurch mosque 

attacks as thousands are expected to 

attend the National Remembrance Service to be 

hosted the preceding weekend. 

People will come together at the National 

Remembrance Service to remember and honour 

those who died and build on the spirit of unity 

that came out of the tragedy. 

Fifty-one people died as a result of the 

shootings at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques 

on March 15 2019, and many others were 

injured and traumatised. 

To mark the second anniversary of the 

mosque attacks, a national remembrance 

service, Ko Tātou, Tātou We Are One, is being 

held at Christchurch Arena, on Saturday, March 

13, starting at 3 p.m. 

Last year’s National Remembrance Service 

to mark the first anniversary was cancelled due 

to COVID-19. 

The programme for this year’s service has 

been based on what was planned for last year 

and was put together with input from those most 

affected by the attacks, including survivors and 

families of the victims. 

Students from Burnside High School and 

Cashmere High School will perform music at 

the service. 

The two schools were heavily impacted by 

the mosque attacks. 

Cashmere High School lost two current 

students and a past student in the attacks, and 

one student from Burnside High School died. 

Local Muslim leaders, the Mayor and 

other dignitaries will also participate in the 

service, which the local Muslim community 

will jointly lead, Christchurch City Council, 

the Government and Ngāi Tūāhuriri as Mana 

Whenua. 

The event is being held on March 13, rather 

than the actual anniversary, as it’s hoped having 

it on a weekend day will allow more people to 

attend. 

The Remembrance Service will be livestreamed 

for people to view worldwide, 

particularly as COVID-19 border restrictions 

mean people from overseas will not be able to 

travel to Christchurch to attend the event. 

The full order of service and further details 

will be revealed in the coming weeks. 

Other March 15 commemorative events 

being held in the city will be listed on What’s 

On Christchurch as they are finalised. 

Christchurch City Council has appealed 

the people wanting to leave tributes around 

the city to make sure the tributes are entirely 

compostable, with flowers left unwrapped, 

and any ties or attachments able to be 

composted in the interests of sustainability and 

minimising waste. 

Albert-Eden Local Board 

calls for nominations for 

Local Heroes Award 2021 


Albert-Eden Local Board 

is calling for nominations 

for the Albert-Eden 

Local Heroes Award 2021 to be 

held later this year. 

The purpose of this call is to 

honour the locals who worked 

selflessly in the Albert-Eden community by shining a spotlight on them. 

The judges panel is looking for exceptional people in the Albert-Eden 

Local Board area who have delivered outstanding service for the community 

which benefits the people, communities or the environment in Albert-Eden. 

We know there are people in our community who work tirelessly for the 

welfare of others or the environmental space. As a board, we want to thank 

them and acknowledge the invaluable contribution they make to our local 

area,” Margi Watson, chair of Albert-Eden Local Board said. 

Previously, people working in a wide range of sectors from environmental 

conservation to the arts and various capacities have been honoured for their 

contribution. 

Susan Li Kwan, the Chairperson of the Epsom Chinese Association, 

was acknowledged for the group’s work in the community at the previous 

Awards.The Epsom Chinese Association aims to integrate Chinese and NZ 

culture by holding activities and classes to teach members NZ culture and 

promote traditional Chinese culture. 

“It is rewarding for volunteers to know that their hard work is recognised. 

This encourages them to keep on working for the community,” Kwan says. 

Who is eligible? 

The emphasis of this award is voluntary contributions of community 

members, and the Local Board also acknowledged that many people go 

above and beyond their paid positions in their work for the community. 

“The local board wants to recognise often unnoticed efforts made by 

individuals, groups or organisations which benefit the communities within 

the Albert-Eden Local Board area,” Kwan says. 

It’s important to note that those acknowledged previously in 2019 are not 

eligible for this years’ Awards. For further details and to nominate, click 

here. Nominations close 28 February 2021 midnight. 

“Learning English gave me 

confidence to make friends.” 

Your family member might have pre-paid for English lessons 

when they applied for their visa to New Zealand. 

Learning English will help your family member build confidence for their daily life. 

They will be able to understand what happening in New Zealand and how it affects 

them. 

Ask the Tertiary Education Commission to check if your family member has money 

to use, and how to enrol for English lessons. 

Call 0800 601 301 or visit tec.govt.nz/pre-paid-English-lessons

10 NEW ZEALAND 



Meet performers at Rafi-Kishore- 

Mukesh Night 4 live-music concert 


The live-in-concert of the yesteryears’ 

legends Rafi-Kishore-Mukesh Night 4 

is only a week away, and the excitement 

in the community for the show has been 

overwhelming confirms organiser of the show 

Arif Zia. The concert in its previous editions 

has gone house full and is again approaching 

maximum occupancy with barely a week to go. 

Director of Creation Group, organisers of 

the show, Arif Zia has been involved in similar 

shows for the last ten years and says the team is 

very excited for the show on Saturday, February 

20 at Dorothy Winston Centre. 

Meet the performers/singers who will delight 

its audience with their rendition of some 

yesteryear legendry singers and their songs 

dating back to 1950s till early millennium. 

Arif Zia: 

Arif Zia is also a renowned singer himself 

and draws audiences from all over 

Auckland when performing the numbers of 

the great Rafi Sahab. Deeply inspired by the 

legendry singer Mohammed Rafi sahib, he has 

been singing mostly the legend’ songs from a 

very young age. 

Viraj Maki 

Viraj hailed from Bombay and had his 

classical training initially with Pandit 

Ramesh Jule of Kirana Gharana then mostly 

with Tulika Ghosh. Performed in several events 

while in Bombay mostly with Indian People’s 

theatre association (IPTA) under music director 

Kuldip Singh with their musical plays. Has 

been singing in various Auckland Musical 

concerts since 2004. 

Joseph Jose 

Joseph is renowned for reliving the inimitable 

Kishore Kumar in his performances and 

believes the legend has deeply influenced him 

by his singing style and therefore loves to 

reproduce the legend’ melodies. Joseph hails 

from Kerala, India. 

Arpita Chanda 

Bank Manager by profession, Arpita has 

been singing from a young age. Learnt 

semi-classical & light Indian music from 

various gurus while in India. 

A national award winner and a recipient of 

music scholarship from India’s government 

for over a decade. Arpita was also a regular 

performer at the All-India Radio. In New 

Zealand, she is a known face amongst music 

Govt formally approve Pfizer/ 

lovers and has performed on various platforms. 

Rini Chakraborty 

Rini is passionate and emotional about 

music since it is part of her life from a very 

tender age. Being a versatile singer, Rini enjoys 

singing in different languages & styles with 

absolute efficiency. She comes from the city 

of joy and music, ‘Kolkata’ & started learning 

music from her mother Nilima Chakraborty 

followed by classical training. She believes that 

there is no end to learning. 

Guncha Singh 

Guncha’s singing journey started in 2010 

where she participated at a local singing 

contest. She has been learning Hindustani 

Classical music at Swar Sadhana Academy 

since 2012 and performed at various stage 

shows. 

She has been associated with Creation 

Group’s all-singing concerts since last ten 

years. She is the most versatile and talented 

singer from Auckland. 

Srisha Iyer 

Srisha has been learning classical singing 

from the age of 5. She has been a part of 

singing competitions in Auckland- NZ, in India 

and is also active in all community events, and 

singing shows happening every year. 

She is a versatile singer and has sung in 

Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali and more 

languages. 

She has written, composed and released 

her first English music video, which was very 

successful. 

RJ Junoo 

Works at NZHerald Sales & RJ 

at 106.2Hummfm. He has hosted RKM 

Night concerts, and other local musical n ghazal 

concerts, Garba nights, organiser of birthdays 

and community events. 

Sanjana Macwan 

Sanjana Macwan is an eminent model, 

actress and an emcee. She has hosted over 

1000 shows worldwide for over a decade which 

includes events like film award functions, film 

promotions, cricket leagues, corporate events, 

celebrity shows. She has also hosted concerts 

of Bollywood singers like Shankar Mahadevan, 

Shaan, Guru Randhawa, Monali Thakur, 

Bhoomi Trivedi. She recently moved to New 

Zealand, and she would host her first NZ show 

with Creation Group. 

IWK BUREAU 

Cabinet on Wednesday, February 10 

has confirmed a formal government 

approval for the use of the Pfizer/ 

BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 

Following the provisional approval by 

Medsafe announced last week, formal 

Government approval for use represents 

another critical step in the process of ensuring 

the vaccine is safe and effective for New 

Zealanders. 

“The Government is continuing to go by the 

book and has carefully considered the ‘decision 

to use’ the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as part 

of our nationwide programme,” COVID-19 

Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. 

“Medsafe’s provisional approval was step 

one and ‘decision to use’ is a further greenlight 

on the road to our roll-out. After receiving 

further advice, Cabinet has endorsed officials’ 

advice to use Pfizer/BioNTech. 

“While we’ve found the ‘decision to use’ 

process around this first application to be 

relatively straightforward, the Government also 

recognise there will be a huge amount of further 

detail to consider as the other vaccines in our 

portfolio of 14.91 million courses go through 

the Medsafe approval process. 

“Now we’ve reached the crucial stage of 

approval for the first vaccine, we are in a much 

better position to start having a conversation 

with New Zealanders about how we plan to 

proceed, recognising the natural questions 

some will have. Information campaigns will 

start from next week to support this. 

“As part of our portfolio, we have secured 

up to 750,000 courses of the Pfizer COVID-19 

vaccine through an Advance Purchase 

Agreement, and we are seeking a further small 

allocation through the COVAX Facility. 

“When the first batch of vaccine arrives, we 

will be ready to go. We will start vaccinating 

our border workers within days of arrival and 

then the people they live with. People such 

as cleaners, the nurses who undertake health 

checks in MIQ, security staff, customs and 

border officials, airline staff and hotel workers 

will be among the first to get the vaccine.” 

BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for NZ 

Chris Hipkins confirmed the vaccine has 

been assessed by the Environmental Protection 

Authority (EPA) and has gained its approval for 

use here. 

“All these steps can provide further 

assurances to the New Zealand public that this 

vaccine is safe to use,” Chris Hipkins said. 

“While vaccination of our border and other 

frontline workers takes place, we will continue 

to receive advice from officials on the other 

vaccines in our portfolio. Medsafe is in regular 

conversations with AstraZeneca and Janssen 

and has begun engagement with Novavax. 

A similar rigorous approval process is being 

followed. 

“New Zealand continues to play a role 

internationally and specifically with the Pacific 

countries participating in the Polynesian Health 

Corridors programme. These countries, which 

include the Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, 

Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu, will be given access 

to the New Zealand vaccine portfolio. 

“There is still a long way to go but as a country 

we’ve made strong and significant progress 

against COVID-19 since it first emerged as a 

serious global threat about 12 months ago. The 

Government will leave nothing to chance to 

ensure that progress continues,” Chris Hipkins 

said. 

Warning about scams and 

misinformation 

Hipkins said as New Zealand enters the next 

phase it’s important that New Zealanders can 

access trustworthy and reliable information. 

He said they were working to combat scams, 

and CERT NZ was working to stop these 

scammers in their tracks. 

“At no point will you ever be asked to pay to 

secure your place in the queue for a vaccine,” 

Hipkins said. 

He said any communication about the 

vaccine would come directly from the Ministry 

of Health. 

“If you receive emails out of the blue ... it is 

likely to be a scam.”


NEW ZEALAND 11 

Over a ton of colour to be used at 

Krishna Holi 2021 event in Kumeu 


The biggest Holi event in the country 

on Sunday, February 14 at ISKCON 

Temple in Kumeu will put over one 

ton of colours for 10,000 visitors to play with 

celebrating the annual Hindu festival. 

Holi is one of the most popular and widely 

celebrated festivals for the Indian community 

after Diwali that is celebrated by the diaspora 

and the adjoining communities across the globe. 

The annual festival of colour falls on March 

28-29 this year, and the religious element of the 

festival signifies the triumph of good over evil. 

It is observed at the end of winter and advent of 

spring month (in the Indian subcontinent), and 

spiritual part of the festival starts with Holika 

Dahan (burning demon Holika) also known as 

Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi. 

In its 9th year, Krishna Holi event at the 

iconic Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West 

Auckland attracts thousands of people from all 

walks of life, different ethnicities and faiths to 

be a part of a colourful and joyous event. 

Speaking with the Indian Weekender, 

Krishna Chandra from the temple said they are 

excited to see the festive season of Holi back 

after a gloomy year of Covid-19 in the country. 

“Holi at the Krishna Temple is one of the 

most vibrant events in our calendar- we see 

families dressed white clothing visit the temple 

and then dance and drench in dry and wet 

colours from noon till early evening,” Krishna 

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson of Hare 

Krishna Temple said. 

The temple spread over 100 acres start the 

free event at 11 a.m. and will have stalls that 

distribute at least ten to 12 colours, and there 

will also be watercolours for the visitors. 

A giant LED screen is also installed on the 

stage with a DJ and live music for the attendees 

to dance and have fun. 

“It’s a family-friendly- tobacco and alcoholfree 

event. People of all ages can have fun as 

there will be colour stalls, water stations, food 

stalls, changing rooms, showering stations for 

people drenched in colour,” Mr Chandra said. 

He added that the temple stocks colours to be 

used at the festival at least 2-3 years at a time. 

The temple will be used over a ton of colour at 

the event both in its dry form and with water. 

“We have given 200 kgs of colour to fire 

brigade who will mix it in their water tank 

and then splash it on the visitors at different 

intervals. 

“Since this year’s event coincides with 

Valentine’s Day, we have kept valentine theme 

gifts and gift station too at the venue for the 

public to celebrate the occasion there,” Mr 

Chandra added. 

Mr Chandra says all arrangements in 

terms of Covid QR Code scanning and hand 

sanitisers are in place for people, arrangements 

for children activities, so that everyone gets to 

enjoy the event to its fullest. 

“We have volunteers, security to usher 

vehicles to park in the appropriate places, 

manage the oncoming and returning traffic, 

and make sure visitors feel comfortable at the 

event,” Mr Chandra added. 

The event organisers have appealed the 

visitors to come in white dress as colours tend 

to exhibit its vibrancy on white clothing, get 

spare clothing to change after playing with 

colour and food and water arrangements have 

been made at the venue. 

“Holi is always a fun event and Krishna Holi 

event like previous years will be high octane, 

full of energy and good vibes,” Mr Chandra 

added. 

ISKCON Temple is located on 1229 

Coatesville-Riverhead Highway, Kumeu, West 

Auckland, and the event starts at noon to 5 p.m. 

Hare Krishna temple to host ‘Saatvik food festival’ 


The Hare Krishna Temple in Kumeu, West Auckland 

is hosting its annual food festival event on Saturday, 

February 13, for the community. 

More than 3000 people are expected to attend the event 

where they will be served saatvik vegetarian food, tour the 

temple premises and have a relaxing family-fun day. 

“Our Hare Krishna Food Festival is very popular amongst the 

wider Kiwi community in Auckland, people from all faiths and 

ethnicities come to the temple, take a tour of the place knowing 

about the deities, the ISKCON establishment, its works for the 

community and have snacks and food during the day,” Krishna 

Chandra, secretary and spokesperson for Hare Krishna temple 

told the Indian Weekender. 

The event is said to be quiet, and exhibit a relaxing 

environment where people get to meet new people, make 

friends, experience the calmness being with nature, have 

Saatvik (pure) vegetarian food and have good family day. 

“This event is happening just one day before our most 

popular Krishna Holi event which is will be loud, full of energy, 

playfulness, music and dance,” Mr Chandra added. 

The events will start at 2 p.m. and end at seven in the evening. 

Besides the food festival, Krishna Temple organises lunch 

event every Sunday at its premises where 300-400 people 

come, chant mantras, meditate, spend some time with nature 

and dine with the community members. 

“It is a soothing atmosphere at the temple, chanting mantras 

with the community, knowing more about the religion, what 

can they do at the temple and how can they make a difference in 

the community by serving others and the less privileged. 

“There are also children’s activities 

organised so that they engage themselves 

and also have a good time at the temple,” Mr 

Chandra said.

Editorial 

Changing contours 

of Indo-US ties 

After tolerating four years of tantrums, mood swings and fits, bad language, and the worst 

idiotic and overtly racist behaviour by any US President after a domestic electoral debacle, 

the world keenly awaited the change of power in the oldest democracy in the world when 

Joe Biden took over as the new American President. 

Similarly, the world keenly looked forward to understanding the contours of the new 

administration’s internal and external policies, particularly its foreign policy. In a wide-ranging 

address at the US State Department, Biden outlined his new foreign policy vision, reiterating the 

catch phrase, “America is back”. 

This stance was reflected in the words that Biden used, such as “re-build” (America’s alliances) 

and “re-engage” (with the world). He also sought to outline a clear vision of what the new 

administration aims to achieve in order to improve and stabilise international relations. It was a 

speech designed to re-establish order and global faith in the US; things that Biden clearly feels were 

lost under his controversial predecessor. 

Michelle Bentley, Reader in International Relations at the Royal Holloway University, London, 

opines that the US foreign policy will now focus more on multilateral diplomacy and working with 

other nations in a more positive way. But Biden hinted that this should not be considered a “soft 

approach”, insisting that diplomacy would be the best way to get what the US wants. He also tried 

to highlight the importance, which his administration attaches to democratic values and described 

it as a key aspect of America’s identity and ethos. 

During his first year in office, President Biden will bring together the world’s democracies to 

strengthen the global democratic institutions and forge a common agenda to address threats to 

common democratic values. Biden has explained that the so-called ‘Summit for Democracy’ he 

plans to convene later this year, will focus on fighting corruption and authoritarianism and protect 

human rights world over. The Summit will also issue a Call to Action for the private sector, including 

technology corporations and social media giants, to make their own commitments, recognising 

their responsibilities and their overwhelming interest in preserving open, democratic societies and 

protecting free speech. 

Indo-US Ties 

James Traub of the NYU’s Center on International Cooperation, opines that in Asia, India has 

a geopolitical status of all its own. The world’s fifth-largest economy, India serves as a bulwark 

against China, which the Biden administration regards as America’s most dangerous adversary. And 

because China increasingly seeks to export its model of authoritarian, state-run capitalism, China 

also poses a unique threat to democracy, which the new administration will definitely try to weaken. 

The Biden administration has inherited from Trump the premise of an ‘Indo-Pacific’ region with 

India at its core. In the recent past, as relations between New Delhi and Beijing soured, India 

strengthened its commitment to a multilateral partnership with the US, Japan and Australia, known 

as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad. 

China has castigated this forum as an Asian version of the NATO, or one which is directly aimed 

against it. India, though cautious of formal alliances was initially hesitant to fully engage, as it 

also didn’t want to sour its trade relations with Beijing. The US considers India as “one of the 

most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region” and says it welcomes its emergence as leading 

global power. In addition, Kurt Campbell, the China hawk whom Biden recently appointed as the 

‘Indo-Pacific Coordinator’ at the National Security Council, has reportedly proposed forging a new 

system of alliances binding South and East Asia, and Asia and Europe, as well as of incorporating 

India, South Korea, and Australia into the G-7 to form a new ‘D-10’, the 10 great democracies. 

This further strengthens the importance which US attaches to India but it will also keep a strict 

watch on the internal political developments in India, particularly related to minorities. Though 

the personal equation, which existed between Trump and Modi, might be missing under the new 

dispensation yet it may not afford to ignore India. 

Also, the new administration will not be able to drastically alter its policy toward India as the US 

needs its help to counter China in the region and also increasingly values India as a military and 

trade partner. Biden, who once spoke optimistically of China’s emergence “as a great power”, has 

become increasingly tough on Beijing, and some analysts said his administration would most likely 

use the Quad as a way to ensure that the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region does not tilt 

too far toward China. 

Still, in New Delhi there is a school of thought which feels that the new administration might not 

be as tough on China as the previous one and that Biden might be forced to adopt a more nuanced 

and less favourable position toward India. 

In addition, the US has been trying unsuccessfully to increase arms sales to India, but the country’s 

history of buying weapons from France, Israel and Russia, has complicated that effort. There is an 

added US concern that providing military equipment to India might help Russian military or other 

foreign agents to have access to the US technology. 

Other issues, which might have an impact on the relationship, are the visa and climate change 

issues. The outgoing President had earlier this year suspended H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, 

a major setback for American IT sector, which employ many Indians. The US will also require 

the Indian support and cooperation on its initiative on climate change issues and in addition both 

countries are trying to hammer out a mutually beneficial Trade Agreement, which has eluded the 

officials so far conducting the talks. 

However, there are signs that the next phase of the US-India relations will be based more on 

substance and less on rhetoric as India, now is able to offer much more to the us, both in military, 

security, trade and technological terms. The ties might not be personality oriented but focussed 

more on changing hard realities and individual aspirations, particularly in the post-Covid changed 

world. 

Thought of the week 

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the 

influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in 

this notion: The potential for greatness lives within 

each of us.” —Wilma Rudolph 

12 February – 18 February 2021 

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thu 

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Indian Weekender : Volume 12 Issue 46 

Publisher: Kiwi Media Publishing Limited 

Content Editor: Sandeep Singh | sandeep@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Reporter: Rizwan Mohammad | rizwan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Chief Technical Officer: Rohan deSouza | rohan@indianweekender.co.nz 

Sr Graphics and Layout Designer: Mahesh Kumar | mahesh@indianweekender.co.nz 

Graphic Designer: Yashmin Chand | design@indianweekender.co.nz 

Accounts and Admin.: 09-2173623 | accounts@indianweekender.co.nz 

Media Sales Manager.: Leena Pal: 021 952 216 | leena@indianweekender.co.nz 

Sales and Distribution: 021 952218 | sales@indianweekender.co.nz 

Editor at Large: Dev Nadkarni | dev@indianweekender.co.nz 

Views expressed in the publication are not necessarily of the publisher and the publisher 

is not responsible for advertisers’ claims as appearing in the publication 

Views expressed in the articles are solely of the authors and do not in any way represent 

the views of the team at the Indian Weekender 

Kiwi Media Publishing Limited - 133A, Level 1, Onehunga Mall, Onehunga, Auckland. 

Printed at Horton Media, Auckland 

Parlty 

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This week in New Zealand’s history 

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5 February 1867 

Opening of railway from Invercargill to Bluff 

Copyright 2020. Kiwi Media Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

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The 27-km line between Invercargill and the port at Bluff, built by the Southland Provincial 

Council, was the colony’s third public railway. 


New Zealand’s first controlled powered flight 

Pioneering aviator Vivian ‘Vee’ Walsh took to the skies over South Auckland for the first 

successful flight in New Zealand. During late 1910 and early 1911, Vivian and his brother 

Leo, members of the Auckland Aeroplane Syndicate, had worked with a small team of men and 

women to assemble a Howard-Wright biplane that had been imported from England in parts. 


First Big Day Out in New Zealand 

The Big Day Out, an Australian franchise based on the successful Lollapalooza model, 

brought alternative, hard rock, hip hop and, more recently, dance acts together in a one-day 

festival in Auckland. 


Treaty of Waitangi signed 

More than 40 Māori chiefs signed a treaty with the British Crown in the Bay of Islands. The 

Treaty of Waitangi remains controversial. 


First public girls' secondary school 

Otago Girls’ High School opened on 6 February 1871. The first public girls’ secondary school 

in the southern hemisphere, it was the outcome of seven years of campaigning. 


Liner Wanganella refloated in Wellington Harbour 

The trans-Tasman liner Wanganella, carrying 400 passengers from Sydney, struck Barrett 

Reef at the entrance to Wellington Harbour at 11.30 p.m. on 19 January 1947. 


New Zealand’s worst shipwreck 

For the British it was the costliest day of the New Zealand Wars – but it occurred far from 

the battlefield. 


First fatal accident on a scheduled air service in NZ 

All three people on board a Dominion Airlines Desoutter died when it crashed near Wairoa 

in northern Hawke’s Bay. This was the first fatal accident involving a scheduled passenger 

air service in New Zealand.

"Learning English gave me 

confidence to talk to my neighbours." 

Your family member might have pre-paid for English lessons 

when they applied for their visa to New Zealand. 

Learning English will help your family member with their daily life. They will be able to 

understand what happening in New Zealand and how it affects them. 

Ask the Tertiary Education Commission to check if your family member has money to 

use, and how to enrol for English lessons. 

Call 0800 601 301 or visit tec.govt.nz/pre-paid-English-lessons

14 

INDIA 


NEWS in BRIEF 

India-US ties break out of Trump's shadow with first 

Modi-Biden phone call 

President Joe Biden has signalled he would seek to deepen the close 

relationship between the United States and India in his first conversation 

with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he added climate change and 

"democratic values" to the agenda. 

Modi welcomed calls to collaborate on combating climate change and 

agreed to participate in a climate summit Biden will host in April, the White 

House said. The late Monday phone conversation between the two leaders 

was part of the formal contacts between the new US administration and 

India's top leadership that began last month. Both the leaders discussed 

their shared priorities and emphasised their commitment to a rules-based 

international order. 

The US' new President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Modi will 

be 'working closely' in the coming months as the world continues to recover 

from the coronavirus pandemic. to work closely to fight COVID-19, renew 

their partnership on climate change and defend democratic institution and 

norms around the world, including in Myanmar. "The US and India will 

work closely together to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, 

renew their partnership on climate change, rebuild the global economy in a 

way that benefit the people of both countries, and stand together against the 

scourge of global terrorism," said the White House press release. 

Large section in India willing to pay Rs 500 for Covid 

vax: Survey 

Indians are not only willing to 

get vaccinated against Covid-19, 

and a great many of them are even 

willing to pay up to Rs 500 for a jab 

to protect themselves against the 

disease, a new survey said. 

About 42 per cent of the 

participants in the survey involving over 30,000 respondents said they 

were willing to pay up to Rs 500 for the vaccine, while another 27 per cent 

were ready to pay between Rs 500-Rs1000, said the survey by research 

based policy think-tank Bureau of Research on Industry and Economic 

Fundamentals (BRIEF) and a leading healthcare platform, 1mg.com. The 

results showed that 84 per cent of the respondents showed willingness to 

undergo Covid-19 vaccination in India with recommendation by the doctor 

and evidence on safety being the key influencers to choose the vaccine. 

Respondents not willing to take the vaccine cited fears of side effects as the 

major reason for not wanting to take the vaccine. 

The survey assumes importance in light of the recent announcement 

made during the Union Budget 2021. 

India-US joint training exercise commences at 

Rajasthan's Mahajan Field Firing Ranges 

" 

The India-US joint training 

Exercise Yudh Abhyas 

commenced at the Mahajan 

Field Firing Ranges with an 

opening ceremony that saw the 

unfurling of the national flags of 

both countries amidst the playing 

of the national anthems," said 

Liutenant Colonel Amitabh Sharma, PRO Defence, Rajasthan. The US 

Army contingent comprising a brigade headquarters and a battalion group of 

the 2nd Battalion, the 3rd Infantry Regiment of 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat 

Team, comprising of 270 personnel, had landed at Suratgarh. The 14-day 

schedule is focused upon joint training in Counter-Insurgency environment 

under the mandate of United Nations, he added. 

The opening ceremony was held on Monday at Mahajan Field Firing 

Range. Brigadier Mukesh Bhanwala, Commander 170 Infantry Brigade 

welcomed the US contingent. 

No place for any mafia in UP: Yogi 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi 

Adityanath reiterated that there is no place 

for any mafia in the state and said that he has 

vowed to eliminate such elements. The Chief 

Minister, while addressing a programme in 

Ghazipur, said, "Our government is constantly 

moving towards wiping out the entire mafia 

culture which hindered the development of 

Purvanchal for long. Previous governments 

patronised mafia and criminals in the state due 

to which the development of the state received a massive setback." 

Adityanath reviewed the progress of the 340-km Purvanchal Expressway. 

He said, "There is no place for those who give patronage to the mafias, 

criminal and other rogue elements in the new Uttar Pradesh of 'Ek Bharat 

Shrestha Bharat'. While we are working towards the welfare of villages, 

farmers, youth, and development, on the other hand, it is also very important 

to destroy the mafia culture that has become a hindrance to the development 

of Purvanchal." The Yogi government has already seized illegal assets worth 

about Rs 1,000 crore of more than 40 mafia elements including Mukhtar 

Ansari, Ateeq Ahmad, Vijay Mishra, Sundar Bhati and others. 

MEA clears 24m vaccine 

doses to 25 countries in 

Feb. Canada isn’t on list 

The Serum Institute of India 

has been approved to supply 

23.75 million Covid-19 

vaccines to 25 countries including 

Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Morocco, 

Nicaragua, Mauritius, Philippines, 

Serbia, the UAE and Qatar. 

India has cleared supply of 24 

million doses of Covid-19 vaccines 

to 25 countries on a commercial 

basis in February, more than twice 

the 10.5 million vaccines that were 

exported in January, people familiar 

with the development said. 

The government last month 

mandated that the external affairs 

ministry would oversee the export of 

the vaccine on a commercial basis to 

foreign countries and international 

organisations. 

India has supplied 16.7 million 

doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca 

vaccine manufactured by the Serum 

Institute of India (SII) to 20 countries. 

This included nearly 6.3 million 

doses that were supplied free to 

13 countries such as Bangladesh, 

Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, 

Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain 

and Oman, Barbados and Dominica. 

PM invites 

farmers for 

talks, says 

farm laws 

'optional' 

About 10 million more doses were 

supplied on a commercial basis to 

seven countries including Brazil, 

Morocco and South Africa. 

According to the external affairs 

ministry’s plans for February, the SII 

has been cleared to supply 24 million 

doses on a commercial basis to 25 

countries including Saudi Arabia, 

Brazil, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, 

Nicaragua, Mauritius, Philippines, 

Serbia, UAE and Qatar. 

This list of 25 countries does 

not include Canada that recently 

requested for 1 million doses of the 

vaccine, a government official said. 

Canada’s minister of public 

services and procurement Anita 

Anand, an Indo-Canadian, faced 

some embarrassing moments this 

week when she was unable to respond 

to questions from a lawmaker who 

asked if the government reached 

out to New Delhi to make up for its 

difficulties in getting Covid vaccines. 

In a widely-circulated video, 

Anita Anand told the lawmaker that 

she hadn’t phoned Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi but wasn’t aware if 

anyone else in the government had 

reached out to the Indian government. 

“She doesn’t know…. Frightening,” 

Michelle Rempel Garner, the shadow 

minister of health for the opposition 

Conservative Party who pressed for 

a clear answer, remarked towards the 

end of the 39-second video. 

will always honour them in future and accept those which would be in 

too. He appealed the farmers to their benefit. 

As the farmers' protest against avoid rumours being spread against Stressing said that these laws 

three contentious farm laws the three farm laws as well as the were passed by the Parliament as 

entered its 77th day, Prime Central government and discuss their reforming the agriculture sector was 

Minister Narendra Modi invited 

them to resolve their issues through 

discussion with the government, 

clarifying that these acts are "optional 

issues without hesitation to break 

the deadlock persisting even after 

several rounds of talks between the 

two sides. 

the need of the hour, he asked if they 

had snatched the benefits which the 

farmers were getting earlier. 

"There is no restriction on anyone. 

and not compulsory". 

The Prime Minister assured These laws do not create obstacles 

Making the announcement in 

the Lok Sabha while delivering his 

thousands of farmers sitting on 

agitation at different Delhi borders 

in the growth of farmers. These laws 

are optional, not compulsory. These 

speech on Motion of Thanks on the since November 26 that the acts neither stopped old 'Mandis' 

President's address, he said that the government would give utmost nor affected purchase of produce on 

government respects the farmers and respect to their logical suggestions Minimum Support Price (MSP)." 

Indians advised against 

travel to Saudi, Kuwait via UAE 

The Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has advised 

Indian citizens against travelling to Saudi Arabia 

and Kuwait via the United Arab Emirates due 

to "Covid-related restrictions on incoming passengers" 

imposed in the two countries. Issued on Monday, an 

Embassy advisory advised the Indian nationals to 

"ascertain the latest Covid related travel guidelines of 

their final destination country before embarking on an 

outward journey from India". 

The citizens were also suggested to carry sufficient 

"personal provisions and funds to cater to any 

emergent requirements". 

The Embassy further advised the Indian nationals who 

were already in the UAE en route to the two countries, 

to consider returning home and make their 

travel plans only when the ongoing restrictions 

were ease. 

The advisory comes after the Consulate 

General of India in Dubai informed the 

Embassy that several Indians travelling to 

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were still stranded 

in the UAE. Since December 2020, at least 600 

Indians, who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia, have been 

stranded in the UAE, a Consulate official told Khaleej 

Times. 

"Due to the fast-evolving international travel protocols, 

the missions strongly advise all travellers to avoid going 

to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait using transit routes to 

"Due 

to the fastevolving 

international 

travel protocols, the 

missions strongly advise 

all travellers to avoid going 

to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait 

using transit routes to avoid 

the inconvenience of being 

stranded in the UAE" 

avoid the inconvenience of being stranded in 

the UAE," the official said. 

Earlier, these passengers were 

provided special travel arrangements 

by the missions with assistance 

from the Kerala Muslim Cultural 

Centre (KMCC) and other social 

organisations. 

The official confirmed that such 

facilities will no longer be provided.


WORLD 15 

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid 

vaccine recommended for 

all adults by WHO panel 

The recommendation may 

encourage more countries to use 

the vaccine broadly, after some 

European Union countries advised against 

giving it to the elderly, citing insufficient 

trial data involving older people. 

A World Health Organization panel 

recommended AstraZeneca Plc’s 

Covid-19 vaccine for all adults over 18, 

paving the way to speed up inoculations 

in developing countries. 

The recommendation may encourage 

more countries to use the vaccine broadly, 

after some European Union countries 

advised against giving it to the elderly, 

citing insufficient trial data involving 

older people. 

The shot’s effect in older people is 

expected to be the same as for younger 

recipients, said Alejandro Cravioto, 

chairman of the WHO panel, in a briefing. 

The move is good news for developing 

countries, many of which are waiting to 

administer their first shots as wealthier 

countries have already inoculated millions 

of residents. 

AstraZeneca, which developed the 

vaccine with the University of Oxford, 

has pledged significant supplies to Covax, 

a facility that aims to distribute vaccines 

equitably around the world. The WHO’s 

recommendation on the Astra shot follows 

the organization’s decision to clear a 

vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech 

SE in December. 

The U.K. drugmaker’s shot is easier to 

deploy than other vaccines like Pfizer’s 

that need to be stored at ultra-cold 

temperatures, and costs less. 

As mutated virus strains spread 

across the globe, concern has grown 

that they’ll impact vaccine efficacy. 

South Africa, where one of the variants 

was first identified late last year, said it 

would pause a rollout of AstraZeneca’s 

vaccine after a trial showed it had limited 

efficacy against mild infections with the 

strain. AstraZeneca Chief Executive 

Officer Pascal Soriot said the shot should 

still protect against severe disease, and 

WHO officials underlined the benefits 

of continuing to use the vaccine even in 

variant-hit areas. 

Covax Plans 

“We made the recommendation that 

even if there is a reduction in possibility 

of this vaccine having a full impact in its 

protection capacity, there’s no reason not 

to recommend its use, even in countries 

that have the circulation of variants,” 

Cravioto said. 

Covax said last month that it’s on track 

to deliver at least 2 billion doses -- about 

two-thirds of which will go to lowerincome 

economies -- and to vaccinate at 

least a fifth of each participating country’s 

population by year’s end. 

The WHO’s emergency use 

authorization is needed for Covax to send 

the vaccines to participating countries, 

in order to ensure a product’s safety and 

efficacy for countries that might not have 

the resources to make the assessments 

themselves. Individual countries can still 

make their own decisions on the use of 

shots. AstraZeneca shares traded 0.9% 

lower in London. 

Tianwen-1, China's mission to Mars, has entered orbit 

After traveling through space for 

seven months, China's Tianwen-1 

probe has reached Mars and 

successfully entered the planet's orbit 

bringing it one step closer to landing 

on the surface. 

Tianwen-1, whose name means 

"quest for heavenly truth," is made up 

of an orbiter, lander and a six-wheeled 

rover carrying scientific instruments, 

according to the China National Space 

Administration (CNSA.) 

The CNSA said it will gather important 

information about Mars' geological 

structure, atmosphere, environment and 

soil, and search for any signs of water. 

The spacecraft is expected to land on the 

planet's surface in May or June. 

The Tianwen-1 makes China the sixth 

country in history to reach Mars. 

Employees at the Beijing Aerospace 

Control Center BACC in Beijing, China, 

on October 9, 2020, after the Tianwen-1 

probe successfully conducted a deepspace 

maneuver. 

Tianwen-1 was launched last July, 

along with two other international Mars 

missions: NASA's Perseverance rover and 

the United Arab Emirates' Hope Probe. 

All three missions launched around the 

same time due to an alignment between 

Mars and the Earth on the same side of the 

sun, making for a more efficient journey 

to the red planet. 

NASA's Perseverance rover is expected 

to land on Mars on February 18. 

So far, the United States and the 

former Soviet Union are the only two 

countries to land a spacecraft on the 

surface of Mars. But the European Space 

Agency and India have previously sent 

spacecraft to enter the planet's orbit -- 

and on Tuesday, the UAE joined their 

ranks, with its Hope Probe successfully 

entering orbit. 

An selfie taken by China's Tianwen-1, made available by the China National Space 

Administration, in December. China announced Wednesday that the probe had entered orbit 

around Mars. 

With Tianwen-1, China is the first 

nation to attempt sending both an orbiter 

and a rover on its first homegrown Mars 

mission. According to the scientific team 

behind the mission, the probe will "orbit, 

land and release a rover all on the very 

first try, and coordinate observations with 

an orbiter." 

By contrast, NASA sent multiple 

orbiters to Mars before ever attempting a 

landing, since pulling off the landing is a 

far more difficult task. 

The Chinese rover is expected to stay 

for three months, with the hope that it 

can gather important information about 

the planet. 

China's space ambitions 

Wednesday's news marks the latest 

success for China's ambitious space 

sector, which has transformed rapidly in 

the past few decades. 

Though Chinese authorities and state 

media have hailed Tianwen-1 as the 

country's first mission to Mars, that 

isn't quite true. China's first attempt 

to reach Mars was actually in 2011 

with the Yinghuo-1 probe, which was 

supposed to orbit the red planet and 

study its environmental structure. It 

launched from Kazakhstan in tandem 

with the Russian Phobos-Grunt mission 

in November that year. But the mission 

failed, with a malfunction that stranded 

the probe in Earth orbit's shortly after 

launch. In 2012, the spacecraft re-entered 

the Earth's atmosphere and fell back to 

Earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean. 

It was a disappointing blow to the 

country's young space program, which 

has historically lagged behind other 

countries. Beijing only launched its first 

crewed space flight in 2003, more than 40 

years after NASA's achievement. 

But all that has changed in recent years. 

Under President Xi Jinping, who 

took office in 2013, China has invested 

billions of dollars into its space program, 

fired space labs and satellites into orbit 

and landed three unmanned spacecraft on 

the moon. 

NEWS in BRIEF 

Coronavirus cases globally declined by 17 

per cent last week 

CNN reported that in its weekly epidemiological 

update, WHO says more than 3.1 million new cases 

of Covid-19 were reported last week, which is a 17 

per cent decline from the previous week. 

The number of new Covid-19 cases reported across the 

world have declined, for the fourth week in a row, as per the 

data from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

CNN reported that in its weekly epidemiological update, 

WHO says more than 3.1 million new cases of Covid-19 were 

reported last week, which is a 17 per cent decline from the 

previous week. This is the lowest number of cases worldwide 

since the last week of October, about 15 weeks ago. 

The United States, according to the global health body, 

has reported the highest number of new Covid-19 cases, with 

871,365. "However, this figure is a 19 per cent decline in 

cases from the previous week. Brazil, France, Russia, and 

the United Kingdom were also among the nations reporting 

the highest number of new cases worldwide," WHO noted. 

Prosecutors in Georgia open criminal 

investigation into Trump's attempt to 

influence election results 

A 

prosecutor in Fulton 

County, Georgia, 

has opened a 

criminal investigation into 

former President Donald 

Trump for his "attempts to 

influence the administration 

of the 2020 Georgia general 

election." 

In a letter sent to numerous 

Georgia state election officials, 

including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, Fulton 

County District Attorney Fani Willis requested that they 

preserve documents related to Trump's phone call last 

month in which he pushed Raffensperger to "find" votes to 

reverse his election loss. 

The investigation comes as Raffensperger's office has 

launched its own probe into Trump's attempts to overturn the 

election, an inquiry that includes a review of both that call 

and another phone call the then-President made to a Georgia 

election official. 

Willis said her "investigation includes, but is not limited 

to, potential violations of Georgia election law prohibiting 

the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false 

statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, 

racketeering, violation of oath of office, and any involvement 

in violence of threats related to the election's administration." 

British PM urges most vulnerable to get 

coronavirus vaccines 

B 

ritish Prime Minister 

Boris Johnson called 

on around 2 million people 

in Britain's most vulnerable 

groups to come forward and 

get their Covid vaccines. 

Speaking at a virtual 

Downing Street press 

briefing, Johnson stressed 

that Covid vaccines are "safe 

and effective", the Xinhua news agency reported. 

"Great strides" have been made in Britain's vaccine rollout, 

said Johnson. More than 13 million people in Britain have 

been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according 

to the latest official figures. 

More than 90 per cent of everyone aged over 75 and more 

than 90 per cent of eligible residents of care homes have 

received their first jabs, he said. 

However, around 2 million people in the most vulnerable 

groups in Britain have still to be reached, according to 

Johnson. Britain aims to complete the vaccination of the 

top priority groups, which cover 15 million people, by mid- 

February. 

Johnson said his call is not to help the government reach its 

"numerical target" for February 15, but rather to "save lives, 

prevent serious illness and so the whole country can take 

another step on the long and hard road back to normality". 

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister reiterated that he will 

set out more details on the roadmap for exiting lockdown 

restrictions in the week of February 22.

16 ENTERTAINMENT 


Rajiv Kapoor 

beyond 'Ram 

Teri Ganga 

Maili' 

Rajiv Kapoor passed away on Tuesday among these were Zalzala (1988), Hum 

Perhaps still going strong with his white shoes and 

after a massive heart attack. For the first To Chale Pardes (1988), Shukriyaa 

it was the Jumping Jack groove, and Govinda was slowly 

time in 31 years (his last released films (1988), Lava (1985), Zabardast (1985), 

unassuming rising in popularity with his maverick moves. 

were Zimmedaaar and Aag Ka Dariya in 1990), 

he was gearing up for a new film. He was set to 

and his debut film Ek Jaan Hain Hum 

(1983). Almost all of these were no-shows. 

trait that Rajiv 

exuded on the 

However, the Shammi Syndrome, which 

catapulted Shammi Kapoor himself to the 

return in Toolsidas Junior, starring Sanjay Dutt. Many feel Rajiv couldn't really emerge 

screen and off zenith of popularity till the sixties, might have 

The Ashutosh Gowariker-produced film has from the shadow of his illustrious lineage -- 

it that let others become too retro for the eighties crowd that 

been slated for release this year. Gowariker 

informs he has wrapped shoot for the 

production. "Rajiv was so affable and played 

his part with much fun and ease. Will miss 

him deeply," he tweeted as condolence. The 

filmmaker added that he had been "a fan from 

his Ram Teri Ganga Maili days". 

Think Rajiv Kapoor and you are thinking 

Ram Teri Ganga Maili. The legendary Raj 

Kapoor cast his youngest son opposite 

Mandakini in the 1985 film, which went on to 

be a blockbuster. 

In a career that actively spanned less than a 

from grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor and father 

Raj Kapoor to elder brothers Randhir and 

Rishi Kapoor. 

There were his iconic uncles Shashi and 

Shammi Kapoor too, besides maternal uncles 

Rajendra Nath and Prem Nath. 

Ram Teri Ganga Maili would emerge one of 

the biggest hits of the eighties, as well as Raj 

Kapoor's career as a filmmaker. 

It will also, over the decades, draw automatic 

recall primarily due to the shot of Mandakini 

under a waterfall in a white sari. Rajiv, it would 

seem, stands burdened under the sizzling 

steal his thunder. In the 

eighties, when ‘loud' was the operative word 

on the Bollywood screen, Rajiv would seem 

too much of a misfit, a gentleman on screen. 

He was mostly the loverboy, gentle and kind. 

Even in action multistarrers as Zalzala (1988), 

a Bollywoodised Wild West potboiler, he was 

the affable soul despite character cliches. 

People have noted the ‘Shammi Syndrome' 

about Rajiv in his heydays, particularly in the 

way he danced, smiled, turned towards the 

camera. Being a younger version of Shammi 

Kapoor was a legacy that set him apart, in 

was by and large blinded by larger-than-life, 

over-the-top masala. 

Many would draw quick parallels between 

Rajiv Kapoor and Kumar Gaurav, sons of 

Illustrious fathers who flaunted dashing looks 

and started out on a high note only to reach 

stagnation point soon enough. 

Rajiv Kapoor would share a significant 

likeness with Kumar Gaurav beyond the 

obvious traits. Both these industry kids, at some 

level, somehow seemed subconsciously not 

too attached with the very idea of fame. They 

came across as some sort of forsakers of the 

decade, Rajiv Kapoor had a handful of releases glamour of his co-star despite putting up a fine an era when Mithun Chakraborty reigned the world of glamour. May be, growing up amidst a 

following Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Notable act in the film. 

dancefloor with his breakdance, Jeetendra was plenitude of glamour does that to you. 

'Destiny was never on Rajiv Kapoor's side, 

he was lonely, but never bitter': Raza Murad 

Raza Murad has said that the late Rajiv no pretences about him, despite coming from after that. 

Kapoor was lonely, but never bitter. such a privileged family. This is what Raj saab Rajiv said that he was always compared to 

Raza, speaking to reporters, said that taught all his children, that they should first his uncle, Shammi Kapoor, because of their 

destiny was never on Rajiv's side. 

Actor Raza Murad has said that destiny was 

never on Rajiv Kapoor's side. Rajiv died of 

a cardiac arrest, at the age of 58. The son of 

late actor Raj Kapoor, Rajiv never achieved 

the career highs that many members of his 

illustrious family did. 

Speaking to reporters ahead of his funeral, 

Raza reminisced about Rajiv, and how they 

used to be thick as thieves back in the day. 

He said in Hindi, "This is a major loss for me. 

We go back a long way, back when he used to 

be an assistant director. He used to work like 

any other assistant, doing daily chores. He had 

learn to live ordinary lives, before thinking of 

becoming stars." 

Asked if Rajiv struggled with loneliness, 

Raza said, "Yes. Definitely. You see, his films 

didn't work. 

Prem Granth was a good film, but it didn't 

work. His television series didn't work. His 

marriage didn't work. Destiny wasn't on the 

side of Rajiv Kapoor. Worse actors than him 

have succeeded in this industry. I'll say that 

there was loneliness, but never bitterness." 

In a 2016 interview, Rajiv admitted that 

1985's Ram Teri Ganga Maili remains his most 

well-known work. He starred in a string of flops 

physical resemblance to each other, and that 

didn't work in his favour. 

He told Cinestaan, "As far as my career is 

concerned, Ram Teri Ganga Maili is the best 

film I did. The other films didn’t do well, but not 

all were bad. The sad part was that everybody 

wanted to project me like Shammi Kapoor, 

because I looked like him." 

He also spoke about his failed marriage in the 

same interview. He said, "Yes, I was married, 

but it didn’t even last for a couple of months. 

I then got divorced, remained single, but I was 

happy with my life. However, I now have my 

partner with me and I’m happy." 

Can Bollywood hope for a big-budget summer? 

Bollywood is struggling to be back 

in form, battling the twin onslaught 

of post-lockdown blues and the 

rise of OTT. 

While many producers are taking the easy 

way out and selling films to digital platforms, 

the more-talked-about projects are naturally 

expected to bail out a box office that is trying 

hard to woo back the audience. 

April to August is traditionally a hectic 

phase for the film exhibition business, with 

summer vacations followed by the festive 

weekends of Eid and Independence Day, 

among others. 

This year, a handful of big budget films 

are tentatively scheduled to open within 

this phase, subject to the Covid situation, 

of course. Here's the list of films that could 

bail out the Bollywood box office, and bring 

business back on track. 

BELL BOTTOM 

This Akshay Kumar spy thriller is slated for 

April 2. Shot amid Covid lockdown in the 

United Kingdom, the film has so far officially 

not shifted its date. Directed by Ranjit M. 

Tiwari, the film also stars Vani Kapoor, Lara 

Dutta and Huma Qureshi. 

RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI 

The Salman Khan film, billed as an ultraaction 

extravaganza, has locked an 

Eid release. The film is directed by Prabhu 

Deva, who scored a blockbuster with Salman 

way back in 2009 with Wanted, though the 

response was more lukewarm when they 

collaborated on Dabangg 3 in 2019. Radhe is 

scheduled for May 13 as of now. The film costars 

Disha Patani. 

SATYAMEV JAYATE 2 

Last heard, the sequel to John Abraham's 

2018 action hit is scheduled to clash with 

Salman Khan's Radhe in the Eid weekend, 

with a May 13 release. The film brings back 

John as vigilante cop Virendra Rathod, who 

wages war singlehandedly against corruption 

and misuse of power. That apart two most 

anticipated films that are ready to release, 

but have not declared a final release date, are 

Sooryavanshi and 83. Rohit Shetty's action 

drama Sooryavanshi stars Akshay Kumar 

as supercop Veer Sooryavanshi, who fights 

against terrorism. The film also stars Katrina 

Kaif. Kabir Khan's 83 tells the story of India's 

first cricket World Cup win in 1983. Ranveer 

Singh stars as the underdog Indian team's 

captain Kapil Dev.


FEATURES 17 

CROSSWORD NO: 60 

FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Diamond weight 

6) One of the Three Bears 

10) Chutzpa 

14) Linguist's concern 

15) Old orchard spray 

16) Succulent plant 

1 7) What a witch might do 

20) _ chi ch'uan 

21) Skirt feature 

22) T-bones 

23) Keats title opening 

25) Freedom from difficulty 

26) Well-qualified 

28) Striking scene 

32) Seems imminent 

34) British blue blood 

35) Tennis redo 

38) Steppenwolf classic 

WHEE! 

14 

17 

20 

32 

38 

2 

2 3 4 5 7 

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43) In need of a shampoo 

44) Nettle rash 

45) Delicateness 

48) Red coin? 

49) Actor's handful 

51) Word with "lock" or 

"barrier" 

53) Like the North Pole 

55) Norwegian city 

56) Something to pitch 

59) Endure difficulties 

62) Experiencing jitters 

63) Suspicious of 

64) Full complement of Wise 

Men 

65) Tiger's pegs 

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67) _ Hall University 

8 9 

Dennis E. Mitchell 

11 12 13 

May 10th 

DOWN 

I) Terse 

2) Where Myanmar is 

3) Branch of medical science 

4) Add years 

5) Rib 

6) Boater's haven 

7) Oodles 

8) Big name in communism 

9) They're taken up in war 

10) French pastry 

11) Blotter entry 

12) English thinker John 

13) Albanian coins 

18) Use absorbent paper 

19) Cat quality 

24) Prefix meaning "half' 

26) Charitable offerings 

27) Gravy container 

29) Green gem 

30) Place for a computer 

31) Literary "before" 

33) Zodiac sign 

35) Flowerless plant 

36) Garden of good and Eve? 

37) Midterm, e.g. 

39) Espionage grp. 

40) "Rumble in the Jungle" victor 

41) Law feared by the fugitive financier 

45) Long-in-the-tooth types 

46) Boob tube offering 

47) Eli's school 

49) Joy companion 

50) Long narrow crest 

52) Appointments 

53) Not have peace of mind 

54) Some pop groups 

55) Germany's von Bismarck 

57) Cookie brand 

58) A sign of a kind 

60) Nitro's cousin 

61) An article 

ANSWERS CROSSWORD NO: 60 

FreeDailyCrosswords.com 

ACROSS------------, 

I) Diamond weight 

6) One of the Three Bears 

10) Chutzpa 

14) Linguist's concern 

15) Old orchard spray 

16) Succulent plant 

1 7) What a witch might do 

20) _ chi ch'uan 

21) Skirt feature 

22) T-bones 

23) Keats title opening 

25) Freedom from difficulty 

26) Well-qualified 

28) Striking scene 

32) Seems imminent 

34) British blue blood 

35) Tennis redo 

38) Steppenwolf classic 

WHEE! 

1 

c 

2 A 3R 4A 

S T 

1 

tJ s 

1 

'" 

I 

2 A 

2i l L E 

3l 0 0 M 1; 

3ftn A G 

!; T y 

HITORI NO: 60 

I 

42) Where supper is slop 

43) In need of a shampoo 

44) Nettle rash 

45) Delicateness 

48) Red coin? 

49) Actor's handful 

51) Word with "lock" or 

"barrier" 

53) Like the North Pole 

55) Norwegian city 

56) Something to pitch 

59) Endure difficulties 

62) Experiencing jitters 

63) Suspicious of 

64) Full complement of Wise 

Men 

65) Tiger's pegs 

66) Squirrel away 

67) _ Hall University 

A 

Dennis E. Mitchell 

l; 1 A 1 l 1 l 

L 0 E 

I C 

I D E 

I V E s 

RM 

H R E E 

67S E T ON 

May 10th 

DOWN 

I) Terse 

2) Where Myanmar is 

3) Branch of medical science 

4) Add years 

5) Rib 

6) Boater's haven 

7) Oodles 

8) Big name in communism 

9) They're taken up in war 

10) French pastry 

11) Blotter entry 

12) English thinker John 

13) Albanian coins 

18) Use absorbent paper 

19) Cat quality 

24) Prefix meaning "half' 

26) Charitable offerings 

27) Gravy container 

29) Green gem 

30) Place for a computer 

31) Literary "before" 

33) Zodiac sign 

35) Flowerless plant 

36) Garden of good and Eve? 

37) Midterm, e.g. 

39) Espionage grp. 

40) "Rumble in the Jungle" victor 

41) Law feared by the fugitive financier 

45) Long-in-the-tooth types 

46) Boob tube offering 

47) Eli's school 

49) Joy companion 

50) Long narrow crest 

52) Appointments 

53) Not have peace of mind 

54) Some pop groups 

55) Germany's von Bismarck 

57) Cookie brand 

58) A sign of a kind 

60) Nitro's cousin 

61) An article 

Eliminate numbers until there are no duplicates in any row 

or column. Eliminate numbers by marking them in Black. 

You are not allowed to have two Black squares touching 

horizontally or vertically (diagonally is ok). Any White square 

can be reached from any other (i.e. they are connected). 

SUDOKU SOLUSIONS AND ANSWERS NO: 60 

59 

62 

64 

65 

67 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

1. What is the capital city of Australia? Canberra 

2. Which US state was Donald Trump born in? New York 

3. If you completed the Three Peaks challenge, which three UK 

mountains would you have climbed? Ben Nevis, Snowdon, 

Scafell Pike 

4. Which UK city is situated further west – Bristol or Edinburgh? 

Edinburgh 

5. How many countries are there in the region of Europe? 

(Recognised by the United Nations) 44 

6. What is the capital of Finland? Helsinki 

7. What is the currency of Vietnam? Vietnamese dong 

8. What language is spoken in Brazil? Portuguese 

9. What do the French call the English Channel? la Manche 

10. How many permanent members are there on the UN security 

council? Five: China, France, Russian Federation, United 

Kingdom, United States 

11. How many notes are there in a musical scale? 7 

12. What temperature centigrade does water boil at? 100 degrees 

centigrade 

13. What company is also the name of one of the longest rivers 

in the world? Amazon 

14. What in the animal kingdom is a doe? A female deer 

15. What is the tallest mountain in the world? Mount Everest 

16. How many centimetres in a metre. 100 

17. What language is spoken in Norway? Norwegian 

18. What is the busiest airport in Britain called? London 

Heathrow 

12 February to 18 February 2021 | By Manisha Koushik 

ARIES (MAR 21-APR 20) 

If you don’t get your way the right way, there is 

no harm in trying other ways, but remain within 

the legal ambit! Impressing those who matter on 

the professional front is likely to catapult you into 

a position of power and authority. Bringing some 

order into chaotic academic front will benefit you 

greatly. Beg, borrow or steal, you will manage to 

raise the capital for your dream venture. You may take romance to 

the next level. Lucky No.:17 / Lucky Colour: Forest Green 

TAURUS (APR 21-MAY 20) 

Wedding bells are likely to toll for the eligible. 

Chance for romance cannot be ruled out for 

some. Travel bug may bite and make you pack 

your bags. A good bargain awaits you in the real 

estate market, so don’t let go of the opportunity. 

Exchanging notes with someone after a long time 

will prove most enjoyable. You may eye a luxury 

item, but ask yourself whether you really require it. You may get 

irregular in your exercise routine. Lucky No.: 22 / Lucky Colour: 

Purple 

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUN 21) 

It is a perfect time to turn your ideas into action. 

Some unanswered questions may face you at 

work and affect your decision making capacity. 

Don’t go beyond the essentials on the academic 

front, as you may end up wasting your efforts. 

You may need to change someone’s opinion 

about you, but do so in a subtle way. Old 

haunts have lost their sheen, so take steps to discover new ones to 

invigorate your romance. Lucky No.: 6 / Lucky Colour: Crimson 

CANCER (JUN 22-JUL 20) 

You may be faced with monetary problems, 

but nothing that you cannot overcome. Your 

persistence on the fitness front is likely to 

bring positive results soon. Seniors may repose 

full faith in you for undertaking something 

challenging at work. You are likely to have your 

way on the academic front. Your actions on 

the social front are likely to offend someone, so be mindful of it. 

Promises not kept on the romantic front may harm the relationship. 

Lucky No.:22 / Lucky Colour: Dark Turquoise 

Manisha Koushik is a practicing astrologer, tarot card reader, numerologist, vastu and 

fengshui consultant based in India with a global presence through the online channels. She is 

available for consultations online as well. E-mail her at support@askmanisha.com or contact 

at +91-11-26449898 Mobile/Whatsapp: +91-9716145644 • www.askmanisha.com 

LEO (JUL21-AUG 20) 

You may need to take a call on someone’s 

continuing in your service, but do so with an eye 

to the future. A profitable deal is likely to come 

within your grasp, but not without adequate efforts. 

An outdoor sporting activity may catch your 

imagination and benefit you health wise. Although 

you are tempted to take shortcuts at work, beware of getting caught 

on the wrong foot. Cater to lover’s moods, if you want peace and 

harmony! Lucky No.:7 / Lucky Colour: Golden Brown 

VIRGO (AUG 23-SEP 23) 

Something that is troubling your mind of late is 

likely to disappear. You will manage to upstage 

your nearest rival in your efforts to corner glory 

on the professional front. Earning a good amount 

can be expected in a deal. Keeping abreast with 

the latest will help you in moving smoothly on 

the academic front. Someone is likely to get smitten with you on 

the romantic front, but it may just be a passing infatuation! Lucky 

No.:5 / Lucky Colour: Green 

LIBRA (SEP 24-OCT 23) 

What you had set out for, you have achieved in 

full measure. There is nothing that can keep you 

from succeeding on the professional front. Your 

plan to catch someone’s eye on the romantic front 

is likely to succeed, so get down to planning the 

next step now! A property issue will tilt in your 

favour. Impressing those who matter will not be difficult, as you go 

all out. You are likely to add to your wealth. Lucky No.:15 / Lucky 

Colour: Coffee 

SCORPIO (OCT 24-NOV 22) 

Keep out of any kind of trouble or controversy, 

as you may get embroiled in it. Getting invited 

to a party or enjoying someone’s hospitality 

is possible. At work, you are likely to remain 

in control and proceed in an orderly manner. 

Taking somebody’s assistance on the academic 

front may prove extremely helpful. Gains are 

foreseen for those in real estate business. Travelling with friends 

is possible and will be fun. Efforts on the romantic front appear 

fruitful. Lucky No.:2 / Lucky Colour: Purple 

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23-DEC 21) 

Whatever you do, your lot doesn’t seem to improve! 

But remember, slow and steady wins the race. You 

will be able to assert your authority in a contentious 

issue on the professional front. A job switch 

promises to bring a bigger salary package for some. 

Becoming the centre of attraction in a social gathering is a foregone 

conclusion! You may get the chance to avail an opportunity to add 

to your academic qualifications. Love life remains satisfactory. 

Lucky No.:18 / Lucky Colour: Rose 

CAPRICORN (DEC 22-JAN 21) 

You will have things meticulously sorted out 

in organising an event. Submitting the booking 

amount for a property is possible for some. 

Working hard is okay, but you will need to 

work smart, if you expect to make your mark 

on the professional front. You can be roped in to 

undertake a task and you will not even be in a position to say no! 

Travelling in public transport seems risky, so take all precautions. 

Lucky No.: 15 / Lucky Colour: Dark Pink 

AQUARIUS (JAN 22-FEB 19) 

Much bonhomie may be witnessed in a get together 

that you happen to attend. You are likely to get an 

opportunity for spending an enjoyable time with 

a childhood friend or relative. Hard work on the 

professional front is likely to bring positive results. 

Steps to increase your visibility on the academic 

front will be successful through your untiring efforts. Falling in 

love seems possible, as the one you admire begins to grow warm 

towards you. Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour: Maroon 

PISCES (FEB 20-MAR 20) 

There is no point in getting provoked unnecessarily 

and spoil your mood. Old grudges may keep you 

from extending a hand of friendship to someone 

on the social front. Lover’s insistence on meeting 

may waste your productive time, but it will be 

worth it! You may have to come in saving mode 

on the financial front. Do only that much, which 

your body can take on the fitness front or you may find it difficult to 

continue. Lucky No.: 9 / Lucky Colour: Purple

18 

FEATURES 


Chicken Panini 

Garlic 

Panini 

VEGETABLE PANINI 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 4 - panini ( bakery panini ) 

• 11/2tbsp - butter 

• 1 - red onion, small 

• 8 - button mushrooms 

• A pinch of salt 

• 2 - avocados 

• 2tbsp - pickled onions 

• 1 - cucumber 

• 1/2cup - broccoli sprouts 

• 8 - mozzarella cheese slices 

• Lettuce 

• Salt 

• 1/2tsp - garlic paste 

METHOD: 

• Heat the butter in a large skillet 

over medium high flame. 

• Peel, wash and thinly slice the 

onions then sauté until translucent. 

• Wash and cut mushrooms into 

half, then add them and sauté until 

browned lightly on the outside. 

• Remove mushrooms from the 

FUND RAISER FOR 

heat and season with salt. Set 

aside to cool. 

• Mash the avocados in a bowl with 

a fork. 

• Slice panini into half, then spread 

some avocado on the surface of 

each piece. 

• Place cheese slice on the spread. 

• Assemble the panini by carefully 

arranging the mushrooms on the 

cheese slice. 

• Slice cucumber and arrange few 

slices on top of mushrooms. 

• Spread some pickled onions and 

sprouts on top. 

• Place lettuce on it. 

• Add another cheese slice on 

top of the veggies if you want, 

cover with another half of panini. 

Slightly press the panini with 

your hand and wrap it into a foil 

or sling wrap. Serve. 

& 

PROUDLY PRESENT 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 – baguette, halved length wise 

(toasted, for serving as per your 

choice) 

• 1tsp – garlic paste, fresh 

• 2tbsp – butter 

• 4 - shaved ham slices or champion 

ham 

• 4 - cheese slices, mozzarella 

METHOD: 

• In a small bowl mix garlic paste 

and butter. 

• Spread garlic butter on the inside 

of the baguette. 

• Place cheese slice and top it up 

with 2 ham slices. 

• Place second cheese slice on top 

of the ham. 

Wrap it the glad wrap or foil. 

Serve or pack it for lunch. 

BUY TICKETS ONLINE 

ticketbazaar.co.nz 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 4 - ciabatta rolls, halved as for 

sandwiches 

• 400gm - chicken ( chicken thigh ) 

• 2tbsp - bread crumbs 

• 1 - egg 

• A pinch of salt and red chilli 

powder 

• 1/2cup - chopped fresh flat-leaf 

parsley 

• 1/4cup - sliced fresh chives 

• 1/4cup - olive oil 

• 2tbsp - whole-grain Dijon mustard 

• 1/2tsp - crushed red pepper or 

chilli flakes 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground 

black pepper 

• 1/2cup - mayonnaise 

• 16 - cheddar cheese slices 

• 16 - bacon slices, cooked 

• Lettuce leaves, torn 

• Oil for frying 

METHOD: 

• Wash and clean the chicken, then 

cut into long thin strips. 

• Heat oil in deep heavy base sauce 

pan over medium flame. 

• Beat egg in a medium size bowl 

along with a pinch of salt and red 

chilli powder. Set aside. 

• Spread breadcrumbs in a small 

plate. 

• Dip 1 

chicken 

piece into 

the egg then 

roll it into the 

breadcrumbs and deep 

fry until brown in colour and 

crisp. Repeat the process until all 

the chicken pieces are used and 

set aside. 

• Transfer the cooked chicken onto 

a kitchen paper towel and set aside 

until its of room temperature. 

• In a medium size bowl stir 

together parsley, chives, oil, 

Dijon, and crushed red pepper 

and season with salt and black 

pepper. Mix well. 

• Split rolls into half. 

• Spread mayonnaise, dividing 

evenly. 

• Spread bottom of each roll with 

Dijon mixture, dividing evenly. 

• Top with cheddar, chicken, bacon, 

and lettuce. 

• Sandwich with roll tops. 

• Chill until ready to serve. 

• Wrap panini in foil for lunch 

boxes and serve. 

SPICY CHICKEN PANINI 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 2 - paninis 

• 1cup - chicken, cooked and shredded 

• 200gm - cream cheese, softened and light 

• 1/4cup - red hot sauce 

• 2 - green onions, sliced 

METHOD: 

• Mix chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce 

and green onions in a medium bowl until 

combined. 

• Slice panini into half. 

• Evenly divide filling between the panini and 

spread to the edges. 

• Place other half of panini on top and press it 

Egg Panini 

slightly with your hand. 

• Pop into the fridge to chill for 30 minutes 

to an hour. 

• If serving later, then individually wrap rolls 

in plastic. 

• Serve by slicing vertically into small pieces. 

Arpita 

Guncha 

ARIF 

JOSEPH 

VIRAJ 

20th FEBRUARY 2021, 6.30pm 

DOROTHY WINSTONE CENTRE, 16 HOWE ST, NEWTON AUCKLAND. 

ANUJ BISHT 

Residential Sales 

021 02629790 

a.bisht@barfoot.co.z 

Tickets available at • YOGI JI FOOD MART • bake & beans • For more information contact: Arif on 021 339519 

GHOUSE 

MAJEED 

021393466 

Design/Print 

Catering Sponsor 

Media Sponsors 

Srishaa 

Rini 

TICKET 

$25 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 - baguette, halved length wise ( toasted, 

for serving as per your choice ) 

• 8 - eggs, large 

• 2/3cup - plain Greek yogurt 

• 1tbsp - mayonnaise 

• 1tsp - dried dill 

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black 

pepper, to taste 

• 2 - cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced, for 

serving 

• 1 - cucumber, thinly sliced 

• 1 - avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and 

thinly sliced, for serving 

METHOD: 

• Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover 

with cold water by 1 inch. 

• Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. 

• Cover eggs with a tight-fitting lid and 

remove from heat; set aside for 8-10 

minutes. 

• Drain well and let cool before peeling and 

dicing. 

• In a large bowl, roughly mash eggs with 

Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, salt and 

pepper, to taste. 

• Spread egg mixture over cut sides of 

baguette. 

• Top with cherry tomatoes, cucumber and 

avocado. 

• Serve baguette, cut vertically or wrap in a 

foil for lunch box.

THE 

ALBERTON 

MT ALBERT’S LATEST URBAN VILLAGE 

CONTRACT 

1ST 

38UNDER 

WEEK 

PRICED 

FROM $1,035,000 

ARTIST IMPRESSION 

SECURE ON $1,000 DOWN AND NOTHING ELSE TO PAY UNTIL SETTLEMENT* 




LARGE HOMES WITH SPACIOUS COURTYARDS & CONCRETE INTER-TENANCY WALLS 

FREEHOLD STRATA TITLE RESIDENCES 

2 BEDROOM RESIDENCES Priced From $1,035,000 

3 BEDROOM RESIDENCES Priced From $1,085,000 

We are currently selling 3 to 4 Residences per day. 

We highly recommend you visit our display suite asap as we anticipate 

being sold out by the end of February. 

Onsite Display Suite Open Daily 11- 2pm - 19 Lyon Ave, Mt Albert, ONSITE CAR PARKING 

HAYLEY SOK 

021 132 8985 

09 307 6340 

ALASTAIR BROWN 

021 333 290 

09 307 6340 

WWW.THEALBERTON.CO.NZ 

*Either by paying $1,000 initial deposit, and the balance of deposit secured by Deposit Guarantee (using existing equity in your own house property – New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident, conditions apply) or balance of the Deposit in Cash. 

Please refer to Deposit Guarantee FAQ’S Marketing Brochure for more information. Every Precaution has been taken to establish the accuracy of the material herein at the time of printing, however, no responsibility will be taken for any errors/ 

omissions. Prospective purchasers should not confine themselves solely to the content of this material and acknowledge that they have received recommendation and had reasonable opportunity to seek independent legal, financial, accounting, 

immigration, technical and other advice. The material herein was prepared solely for marketing purposes prior to the commencement of construction and the approval of necessary Territorial Authority consents. The final building design and materials 

are subject to Auckland Council approval. The Developer reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of residences and levels in each residence or building according to market demand and therefore sizes and layouts of residences may 

vary throughout the development. Changes may be made during development and all dimensions, finishes, fittings and specifications are subject to change without notice. All residences sale areas include ducts, gardens, patios, balconies, decks or fences 

as applicable and where shown. Sizes stated are measured in accordance with the clauses contained within the Sale and Purchase Agreement. All illustrations are artist’s impressions only. Loose furniture, feature and pendant lighting, window dressings 

and wall coverings are shown for illustration purposes only and are excluded from the Purchase Price. All illustrations and artist’s impressions of the landscaping to private courtyards, gardens and patios are indicative only and excluded Purchase Price.

The Indian Weekender, Friday 12 February 2021

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